Junior League launches diaper bank
In honor of those whose lives were lost or were forever changed by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, County Executive Robert P. Astorino joined with Volunteer NY! to host “9/11: Serve & Remember” at the County Center on Sept. 11. The event also announced the launch of the Westchester County Diaper Bank in partnership with the Junior League of Central Westchester (JLCW).
“Volunteering is one of the best ways to honor the memory of the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, as well as pay tribute to the heroism of those who came together to help,” Astorino said. “We are especially happy to announce the Westchester County Diaper Bank. Diapers are a basic need for children – as essential as food, shelter and a parent’s love. I want to thank the Junior League of Central Westchester for this tremendous partnership.”
More than 14,650 diapers were packaged and inventoried during the run of the event, including a donation of 8,760 diapers from the Authentic Church. The Diaper Bank will be collecting all sizes, types and brands of disposable diapers as part of an ongoing partnership between the Junior League of Central Westchester and Westchester County government. Donations for baby wipes are also accepted. The goal is to help get clean diapers to families that struggle to afford them in Westchester.
Westchester County’s Department of Social Services will help to warehouse the diapers as well as distribute them to residents in need. The county’s Department of Health, meanwhile, will help provide information and referrals to parents about important health topics.
For more information, contact the Junior League of Central Westchester at 914-723-6130 or jlcwdonatediapers@gmail.com or visit jlcentralwestchester.org.
Marcum names Augustine as partner
ANSON AUGUSTINE of New Rochelle has been named partner at New York City-based Marcum L.L.P., a national accounting and advisory services firm after serving previously as a director in his division. He joined Marcum in 2003.
Augustine works with publicly traded and privately held companies in numerous industries, providing services related to SEC compliance, as well as mergers and acquisitions and complex accounting and reporting issues. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. He also volunteers with the Eastchester Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Augustine holds a Master of Business Administration degree in finance and information systems and a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Fordham University, as well as a Master of Science degree in human resources from Hofstra University.
MarkNet Group names product manager
LISAMARIE DESANTO, former media relations manager of ArtsWestchester, has joined MarkNet Group as its new project manager and digital strategist.
MarkNet is a digital marketing and web design company that has produced more than 700 websites and digital marketing campaigns since its inception 16 years ago.
The breadth of this work has led to the hiring of additional designers and digital strategists. DeSanto’s newly created position follows that recent success and growth, which founder and CEO Gina Nieves attributes to MarkNet’s dedication to integrity, personal attention and its result-driven approach to business.
“We knew MarkNet needed a project manager and staff writer with a broad range of creative, strategic and analytical skills, who could assist us in driving the business forward with energy, vision and passion,” said Nieves. A communications specialist with a background in publishing and the arts, DeSanto, who built a career on editing and project management will now manage MarkNet’s growing staff while lending her expertise to companies with products and services ranging from financial to consumer goods and e-commerce stores.
New associate at Eckert Seamans
CHRISTOPHER R. CUOMO has joined the White Plains office of national law firm Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott L.L.C. as an associate in the real estate and real estate finance practice groups. He will focus his practice in the area of real estate finance, representing institutional and commercial lenders in closing real estate loans.
Prior to joining the firm, Cuomo practiced residential real estate by representing buyers, sellers and financial institutions. Additionally, he was appointed the deputy public administrator for Westchester County by the Westchester County Surrogate judge and was responsible for the ongoing management and administration of estates and trusts for the county’s residents who passed away without next of kin available or eligible to administer their estates.
Cuomo received his J.D. from Pace University School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Berkeley College. He is admitted to practice in New York and is a member of the Westchester Bar Association.
Visiting nurse association elects board members
Visiting Nurse Association of Hudson Valley (VNAHV), a family of home health care organizations that includes Hospice Care in Westchester and Putnam and VNA Home Health Services, has elected four new trustees to its board of directors.
The new trustees are: RON CORTI, president and CEO of St. John’s Riverside Hospital; PEGGY TALLIER, program director of the nursing program at Mercy College; MARK BRAUNING, director of the hospitalist program at Northern Westchester Hospital and internal medicine physician at Mount Kisco Medical Group; and DEBORAH NEUENDORF, vice president of administration at Hudson Valley Hospital Center.
“We are delighted to welcome such an accomplished and well-respected group of new board members. Each new member brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to our organization,” said Michele Quirolo, president and chief executive officer of VNAHV. “As health care models continue to evolve, organizations must be able to respond quickly and efficiently to ensure that high-quality care remains a priority. This can only be achieved with a board that understands both the health care environment and the community we serve. We are so fortunate to have the leadership and guidance of these individuals as VNA enters a new period in its history and as we continue working to meet the growing demand for home care needs in our community.”
Prior to joining St. John’s Riverside Hospital in Yonkers 2010, Corti held a variety of positions at health care organizations, including Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Yonkers General Hospital and at St. John’s where he started as vice president of strategic planning and business initiatives. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in accounting and a master’s degree in public administration, health administration from Long Island University.
Tallier earned her undergraduate degrees from Muhlenberg College and Kean College, and received a Master of Public Administration and Nursing Management degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a Doctorate of Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College. Extensively published she is a frequent presenter at industry conferences and at academic events.
Brauning received his undergraduate degree at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and completed his medical education at Dartmouth Medical School and his residency in internal medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Neuendorf has had extensive work experience in quality management at North Shore University Hospital/Cornell Medical Center before joining Northern Westchester Hospital. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Kentucky, a B.S.N. from St. Louis University, and an M.S.N. from Emory University.
Guiding Eyes names Sandler as COO
Guiding Eyes for the Blind has promoted JODY SANDLER, DVM, to chief operating officer. Formerly the organization’s director of veterinary services, Sandler has been a Guiding Eyes employee since 1990.
As COO, he will oversee key operations at Guiding Eyes’ main campus in Yorktown Heights as well as at its Canine Development Center in Patterson. Charged with sustaining a healthy dog population across the organization, Sandler will supervise the managers of Guiding Eyes’ breeding kennel, whelping kennel, veterinary hospital, brood stud program, resource administration and facilities. In addition, he will provide leadership in the strategic planning process and implementation of new programmatic initiatives.
“Jody has been instrumental to our organization’s success for decades,” said Thomas Panek, Guiding Eyes’ president and CEO. “Given the nature of our work, the role of COO demands the knowledge and expertise of an experienced and caring veterinarian. Jody’s dedication to the health of our dogs and rapport with our graduate community makes him uniquely qualified to take on this important role.”
Sandler has co-authored numerous papers with researchers and clinicians at Cornell University, as well as with researchers at the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research. Last year his veterinary department was awarded Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine’s Booker Willoughby Service Award for the exceptional care and support provided to Guiding Eyes dogs and graduates. Sandler serves as a mentor for veterinary students at Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Binghamton University and a DVM from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
“For almost 25 years, I have had the honor and privilege to work with inspiring colleagues, volunteers and graduates,” said Sandler. “In my new role, I hope to help steer Guiding Eyes to greater success by touching more lives with our amazing dogs and programs.”
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